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Committee advances zoning overlay for forensic lab garage and related map changes
Summary
Bill 250371 would change zoning to CMX-3 and create a CSI Forensic Laboratory Overlay District to accommodate building requirements tied to the Philadelphia Police Department’s Forensic Science Center; the Planning Commission recommended approval and the committee reported the bill favorably.
The Committee on Rules on May 21 heard testimony and advanced Bill 250371, which would change zoning designations and add a CSI Forensic Laboratory Overlay District for a block bounded by Powelton Avenue, Preston Street, Filbert Street and 40th Street. The Planning Commission recommended approval at its May 15 public meeting.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, director of legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, said the bill would rezone the area from CMX-2 (commercial mixed-use) to CMX-3 and add a new overlay to accommodate specific use and design standards tied to chain-of-custody requirements for crime evidence. The legislation was presented in support of constructing a garage to service the Philadelphia Police Department’s Forensic Science Center, completed in 2023 at 40 South Market Street.
The Planning Commission recommended the bill for approval with the overlay providing supplemental use and design regulations for CMX-3 properties within the single-block overlay. The Rules Committee then voted to report the bill with a favorable recommendation and to suspend rules for first reading at the next Council session.
Why it matters: the overlay would create site-specific zoning rules to support secure forensic-laboratory-related operations and a garage intended to service the police department’s nearby facility.
Next steps: the committee reported the bill favorably; Council will consider first reading at the next session.
